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Backhoe operator alleges assault on false charge
A backhoe operator of a construction company was granted leave to proceed in a fundamental rights petition filed in the Supreme Court for the alleged assault by the Poddala Police who falsely accused him of siphoning diesel from the vehicle which belonged to his employees.

The petitioner Bandarawaka Arachilage Chamara Nimantha cited Sub inspector Dhammika Silva, Poddala Police Inspector P.N. Ratnaweera, Manager, Laksan Mizutani Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd., (LME), Tyronne De Silva, the IGP and the Attorney General as respondents.

He said on August 1, 2005 he was arrested on false charges of stealing diesel from the backhoe vehicle he was operating. At the police station he was assaulted and asked to confess to the theft but he continued to plead his innocence and claimed he knew nothing about it.

The petitioner said that he heard SI Silva asking the LME manager to bring some diesel and booze (lemon gin) when coming to the police station.
When the LME manager arrived at the station he told the petitioner that he was being punished for his past behaviour.

The petitioner claimed he was a participant in a non-violent strike which took place at the worksite and he was also a negotiator on behalf of the workers and the management and this was the reason for his unlawful arrest and assault.

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